I am teaching photography at the high school level this year and was intrigued by the final that Angela Evans was assigned. I like the idea of giving a title and having the students take a photo to illustrate it. I have come up with a few of my own, but would be greatly interested in hearing some suggestions from the gallery :-) I would post the photos on my webpage if anyone wanted to see the results. Thanks in advance. Laura

-- Laura Vryhof (vryhof@midmaine.com), January 24, 2000

Answers

I like the project idea my of titles 1.My friend 2.Self portrait

-- david hodgson (davidhodgson@mindspring.com), January 24, 2000.

Years ago in when I was working in Houston I was supposed to make a photograph of a famous opra singer who was in town. The editor making the assignment told me to "make a photograph of his voice". You might get an idea from that, to assign photographs of ideas rather than actual things. Creativity has to take over for an assignment like that.

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), January 24, 2000.

Laura,

I agree that there is value in prompting students to shoot a photo that will illustrate a pre-assigned title. The real-world commercial photographer does this everyday. An art-director and/or the company representative usually knows what they want their piece (brochure, website, etc.) to say and gives very specific words (title?) to the photographer to communicate to him/her what to execute. A commercial photographer who understands that their job is to illustrate someone else's idea and stay focused on that idea and not their own is an asset to the creative team. I should add that a photographer who can add value to the assignment through different interpretation or vision is a good quality to offer also. However, generally the AD does not like surprises and this should be done with lots of communication or only as an addition to the original assignment.

I think the concept works well even in the portrait side of photography. Anyone can snap a photo that captures the likeness of someone. But to create a portrait that "tells a story" (title?) about someone is much more challenging and much more valuable.

Conversely, I also think that to shoot a photo as an assigned category (speed, color, ambition, etc.) and then to create an insightful title has educational value for the student as well.

I feel compelled to comment that Angela's example "With the basest of companions, I walked the streets of Babylon" is a little worrisome to me particularly for high school students. I had asked angela if the title was of her own making or assigned by the instructor and didn't receive an answer; so I don't know exactly what the situation was. But, if assigned by the instructor, I wonder why such a bizarre title for a student? It seems that some people interpret the word "creative" as "...as strange as I can get...shock factor 10+..."; sad. I hope that you will not model your title selection on her example. There are many philosophical titles that can cause one to think deeply and analytically (an art that is lost?) without dealing with disturbing issues. I do also think that disturbing issues can be effectively explored through photography as there is a time and place for all things. However, I don't believe that a teacher should explore these things through their student's imaginations. Teach the student to think. The thinking student can then choose what path to travel.

Rick

-- Rick Stiles (rstiles@ghg.net), January 24, 2000.

I appreciate your time and answers, we have little equipment to work with so personal creativity has become our keyword in the two classes I teach. I like the idea of shooting "ideas" or concepts and since most of our next work will be indoors for the rest of the winter, I think we will make the most of this opportunity. I will let you know how it turns out. Possibly I will scan some of the photos and put them on my home page.

-- Laura Vryhof (vryhof@midmaine.com), January 26, 2000.

Laura,

One of my favorite assignments,actually from Photo 101 at the Community College level, was the following. Select something that you see every day, and find a new way to see it! I selected a cactus, as I lived in the desert southwest, and found myself excited about close up photography. I also explored taking odd angles of large buildings, creating different shapes and feelings from them.

-- Stephen Burns (sburns@oregontrail.net), January 28, 2000.

Here are the ones I have chosen to give the students: The face is the mirror of the mind, and eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart.--Saint Jerome. The monuments of wit survive the monuments of power. --Francis Bacon I have immortal longings in me. --Shakespeare Society is no comfort to one not sociable. --Shakespeare Surprised by joy - impatient as the wind. --Wordsworth

Thanks for all your help!!

-- Laura Vryhof (vryhof@midmaine.com), February 07, 2000.